Shipwreck Stew


52 Comments


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This flavorful Shipwreck Stew is a hearty, one-pot meal loaded with ground beef, tender potatoes, and kidney beans. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser—perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry family.

tomato based soup with sliced potatoes, kidney beans and ground beef in a slow cooker.

This version of Shipwreck Stew is my own creation of flavors—something I came up with when I wanted a hearty, no-fuss meal that still felt special. It’s part soup, part stew, part chili, and somehow it all just works.

Despite the name, it’s a total win at the table. If you like this one, check out my Hobo Soup—it has that same cozy, satisfying feel with a slightly different spin.

Shipwreck Stew Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients to make this shipwreck casserole, see the recipe card below the images for the full recipe.

  • Ground beef for a hearty base
  • Beans, tomatoes, and potatoes for classic comfort
  • A mix of pantry staples and seasonings to tie it all together
  • Everything slow cooked until thick, flavorful, and filling

Variations

You can change this recipe up! Try these:

  • You can add diced tomatoes, green beans or a can of corn.
  • You can use pinto beans or black beans instead of kidney.
  • Of course, you can use ground turkey or chicken, but the flavor will defer.
close up of cooked shipwreck stew in a slow cooker.

My Serving Suggestions

Here is how my family eats this shipwreck stew

  • Great as is or topped with cheese, sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro, and/or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Serve over rice for an even heartier meal.
  • Make it a complete meal by pairing it with a light side salad, cornbread, garlic bread, or a roasted veggie like Brussels sprouts.
serving tomato-based stew with potatoes and kidney beans with a ladle
Tomato-based stew with potatoes and kidney beans on a ladle

Shipwreck Stew Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
This vintage Shipwreck Stew recipe has a unique take on comfort food. Is it chili? Is it soup? Is it stew? It’s a little of each—and it’s so good!
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 lb. ground beef, (I used 10% fat)
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, sliced
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 2 celery ribs, sliced
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 21 oz. Campbell’s tomato soup, (two 10.5 oz. cans)
  • 1 oz. packet taco seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions 

  • Brown the ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop until cooked through, drain. Add to the slow cooker
  • Add the remaining ingredients, stir.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Stir, and serve! Great as is or topped with cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 625mg | Potassium: 1266mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 22.8mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 6.2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Stew Recipes

Witches Brew Stew has a fun name but is a simple, flavorful mix of beef, vegetables, and broth. If you’re in the mood for something different, Split Pea Stew is a creamy and comforting option made with peas, ham, and simple seasonings.

Poor Man’s Stew is a budget-friendly option made with ground beef, potatoes, and carrots in a tomato-based sauce. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a favorite and much lighter in flavor.

For a classic choice, Slow Cooker Beef Stew combines chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich, savory sauce. Camp Stew is a hearty mix of shredded meat, tomatoes, and beans with a smoky, barbecue-style flavor.

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Recipe Rating




52 Comments

  1. Nick says:

    Are you meant ti add some gravy or anything in when you add it all to the slow cooker??
    Wont it just burn i cant say anything that says to add any kind of liquid other than the soup???

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      See the recipe card, there is water to be added to the recipe.

  2. Glynnis Kunzler says:

    5 stars
    So happy to see this recipe again. My mother had that cookbook now I have it from the 1050s. It’s is a family favorite and I am now 80 years old.love your recipes.

  3. Mary Friedlander says:

    I don’t like mushrooms. What can I substitute for them?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can leave them out, you can also add corn or fresh green beans to this if you want more veggies.

  4. Terrie Moustrouphis says:

    5 stars
    I made this with Spicy Campbell’s Soup because we like spicy food, it came out awesome! Thank you for this recipe, everyone loved it.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I didn’t know spicy was an option! I will try!

  5. Liz says:

    Iโ€™m using 2 lbs. ground meat โ€” use 2 taco seasoning packets too? Afraid it will be bland if I donโ€™t.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would. Or at least one and a half.

  6. Nicole says:

    I’m interested in making this anyone make it with chicken?

    1. Jasmine Alyssia says:

      5 stars
      My mom made it with chicken before, not bad!

  7. Vicky says:

    Hi Sarah! Iโ€™m making the ship wreck stew tomorrow I only have gold potatoes because we like those best will those work?!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Those potatoes will work great!

  8. Stacey says:

    All in slow cooker ready for this evening I didn’t put the kidney beans in as I’m the only one that likes them so fingers crossed everyone enjoys it.

  9. Crystal (Honey Fox Living) says:

    I’ve made this via the original recipe (no taco seasoning or water) in the oven and I want to do the same in the slowcooker. Do you think I need to add any water? I don’t want it like a stew, but like the original casserole.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can, just add a touch of water and cut the potatoes very thin.